Chapter 240 Brightblades Background (2/2)
”But I'm an initiate,” Arran countered ”Even if I' useful”
Brightblade nodded ”Correct But to Rhea, you're a lued into steel And she will do so mercilessly If the pressure breaks you or you fail to meet her expectations, she will discard you as easily as she found you But if you persist, your strength will groith leaps and bounds”
Arran looked at Brightblade curiously ”It sounds like you approve”
”I do,” Brightblade replied flatly ”Up to a point A single outstanding e is worth a thousand mediocre ones, and if you can endure her methods, they will offer you a path to excellence”
”And if I can't?” Arran asked He wasn't worried about buckling under the pressure, but whether his talent would suffice was another matter
”Then I'll help you find a different path” Brightblade said with a shrug ”Rhea's weakness has always been her quickness in casting away anything with even the hint of a flaw Should she do that with you, the loss will be hers”
At this, Arran shot Brightblade a grateful se, her loyalty would est that you try your hardest to benefit frohtblade continued ”The Society facesyou have encountered so far”
”Like the Depths?” Arran asked, re what Elder Niklas had told hihtblade's expression turned serious ”Who told you about that?”
Arran hurriedly explained what the Elder had shown hihtblade's face
”Those utter fools,” she said when he finished ”Show ht away”
When they entered theabout it now that it stood eh the quiet hallways as they headed toward the staircase to the dungeon, the rest of the building seeh the quietAfter having faced an actual dragon, he could hardly let hihtened by a quiet house
Once they reached the dungeon, Brightblade i further down, co to a halt about ten paces from it For several minutes she stood there silently, a look of concentration on her face while her eyes remained fixed on the stone staircase before her
Finally, she turned around again ”It's safe,” she said in a relieved voice ”The wards are strong enough to keep anything fro up”
”What's down there?” Arran asked, his curiosity sparked
”Danger,” she replied curtly ”And for you, death”
Arran furrowed his brow, rehtblade's estate ”Does it have anything to do with that warded path at your estate?”
”It does,” she confirmed ”But for now, that's all you need to know I'll explain it in due time”
”And ill that be?” Arran asked, his curiosity not at all satisfied by her sparse replies
”When you're ready to become an adept,” she said ”But until then, don't even think about co near these stairs” She looked around as she spoke, only now sees ”The rest of this place, however… that will coeon should shi+eld you fro eyes”
”Then I can use htblade hesitated briefly before giving hi as you're the only one around Of course, whether you'll have the ti starts is another matter”
They headed back up the stairs as they spoke, yet when they arrived in the e nu from the main hallway, and they quickly made their way toward the source of the commotion
When they stepped into the main hallway, Arran saw that it was filled with people, fifty if not e who'd accompanied Arran to the mansion stepped forward fro at the crowd, ”are your new guards and servants”
Arran stared at the group in confusion There wasn't a single wo them All were men, and more than a few looked like bandits or roup anywhere else, he would have taken them for a band of raiders
”These are the servants you foundmore than a little puzzled as he eyed the men before hie replied, his expression flat ”I ht prove a distraction”
As Arran gave the hter